One of the more controversial issues facing Maroondah at the moment is a planning application for an eight storey residential social housing development in Larissa Avenue, Ringwood.

This issue has become controversial, not because it involves social housing, but due to the fact that State Government has enabled this project to bypass council planning requirements. This means that neither council, the community or residents had the opportunity to provide binding comments on this planning application.

Normally, a planning application is lodged with a local council, who assesses the application against its planning scheme and other guidelines. During this process, local residents and the wider community are able to lodge submissions in regard to the application, which are then considered by Council.

Once the submissions are heard, the Council then has the option of rejecting or approving the application. If the application is approved, it will often be subject to a number of conditions, to ensure that community concerns are addressed.

This process ensures that local communities and residents are able to provide input into planning decisions, which then results in better outcomes for the community.

As an example, this has often resulted in the preservation of significant trees and a higher standard of development, such as centralised waste management (thus reducing the number of bins required), footpath constructions and bicycle facilities.

This process ensures we balance the needs of the community with development so that the best outcomes can be achieved.

Unfortunately, the State Government has enabled any developer that uses Federal Social Housing funding to bypass local council requirements meaning the Minister for Planning is the sole determinant of these applications.

As a result there is no opportunity for the community or residents to formally submit their thoughts in regard to these applications.

The Maroondah Leader is following the progress of this issue, which was discussed at last week’s council meeting.

Cr Alex Makin said the State Government had marginalised residents by fast-tracking a planning permit for an eight storey development at Larissa Avenue, effectively sidelining the council and stifling community debate.

The planning process enables local communities and residents to express their thoughts on a planning application that is being assessed before council. In almost all cases the people that lodge submissions do so, not of their own self-interest, but to ensure high standards for their local community.

Cr Alex Makin told colleagues at last week’s council meeting that future residents would be faced with “resentful” neighbours.

“There was no opportunity for residents to have their say so people moving there will have a stimga attached to them, Cr Makin said. “It will create a situation where people, who are already disadvantaged, will be worse off.”

One of the primary objectives of social housing should be to provide people with a sense of community and shelter, so that they can be provided with opportunities to become part of their local community and partake in educational, employment and recreational activities.

Creating a situation of animosity, whereby residents have been denied the ability to provide input, does not create a welcoming atmosphere for people who are already experiencing disadvantage.

It is imperative that local communities are able to provide input into local planning decisions to ensure a welcoming atmosphere for all residents of Maroondah.